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Reports

GAO’s reports give Congress timely, fact-based, non-partisan information that can improve government operations and save taxpayers billions of dollars.

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GAO is best known for our reports that detail the findings of our evaluations and audits. Read our latest reports.

In addition to our audit reports, we issue several other types of products.

  1. Quick-Read Reports: These products synthesize information relevant to current or emerging issues, generally in no more than two pages. For example, Science and Technology Spotlights explain emerging science and technology issues, including opportunities and challenges and relevant policy considerations. Similarly, we publish 1- or 2-page quick-reads on various topics, such as health care, defense-related acquisition, and energy.
  2. Technology Assessments: To support congressional decision-making, these assessments analyze the latest developments in science and technology, draw attention to implications of technological change, and make core concepts accessible to policymakers. Read our latest Technology Assessments.
  3. Legal Decisions: As part of Congress’s exercise of its constitutional power of the purse, GAO issues legal decisions on, for example, the Antideficiency Act and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974. Read our latest Legal Decisions.
  4. Testimonies: A committee or subcommittee Chair can request, in writing, that a GAO witness testify on GAO work at a hearing. Read our latest testimonies.
  5. Signature Publications: Recurring featured products such as our America’s Fiscal Future Fiscal Health report, High Risk List, Priority Open Recommendation Letters, and Duplication & Cost Savings work.

Requests for GAO reports must come from congressional committees, subcommittees, or Members of Congress. In conjunction with Members of Congress, we developed our Congressional Protocols, which outline our policies and procedures for accepting and completing work. 

How to Request

Please contact Congressional Relations or your committee’s Congressional Relations Advisor to request GAO work.

Due to limited resources, we start work required by statute or requested by senior congressional leaders and committee or subcommittee Chairs or Ranking Minority Members of committees of jurisdiction prior to work requested by others.

Congressional requests for GAO work should be written by a Member, addressed to the Comptroller General, and submitted via email.

Members may request that GAO:

  • Conduct an audit or investigation;
  • Add them as co-requesters to work that is in progress but not yet completed; or
  • Provide a witness to testify.

GAO can provide periodic status briefings, and briefings on the preliminary and final results of work you’ve requested. For more details on the request process, see Requests to GAO: Process and Timing (PDF, 1 page). 

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